The comments have been made after the Bristol Post exclusively revealed that Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees is considering changing the location of the 12,000 seat venue to the enormous Brabazon hangar at Filton Airfield.

The news has prompted a mixed response online with 42 per cent of Post readers supporting the possible move, compared to 39 per cent who think it should be built at the council’s current location next to Temple Meads.

Some 16 per cent of voters believe plans for an arena for Bristol should be scrapped completely, and four per cent said they want to see the venue built at a completely new site.

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The Bristol Arena plan was first floated 14 years ago and has encountered numerous problems and objections. After yo-yoing between locations, the project looked fairly stable after a design, planning permission and developer were all lined up.

However, after his election, Mr Rees started looking at the spiralling costs of the venue and launched a ‘value for money report’ in March.

Bristol Arena artist impression

The Mayor has revealed the current design would cost “significantly” more than the £123.5 million budget if it were to be built on Arena Island next to Temple Meads.

He has now ordered the council to go back to the drawing board and look at different designs, locations and private investment for the project.

The 45-year-old has gone on the record to say “nothing is off the table” when it comes to reducing the cost of the arena, and the Post understands the gigantic Brabazon hangar is a serious prospect.

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Stretching over 352metres, the hanger is big enough to house the 20,000-seat O2 Arena with room to spare.

And the prospect of an arena on the airfield has pleased some.

Writing on the Post's Facebook page, Andrew Hockey said: “Filton does have some big advantages - it's close to the M4 & M5, there's an existing rail line close by, it will be served by MetroBus (eventually) and there's plenty of parking space. It's just a shame that it wasn't thought of much earlier!”

The Brabazon hangar at Filton Airfield (Image: Google)

George Szynkaruk added: “Great news. If this thing must go ahead then put it somewhere where it won't choke dozens of residential streets with traffic and make it impossible to get a parking space.

And Rob Curwood thinks the Filton location would be an opportunity to expand the scope of the arena project.

He said: “Is a 12,000 capacity big enough? Not really, it won't attract the top acts. At least if it is built at Filton or UWE it could have a 20,000-plus capacity and be considered a truly world class arena.”

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Bristol Arena

However, other commentators – including former Mayor George Ferguson - are less than impressed with the potential move, with many suggesting an arena for Bristol should be in the city centre.

Craig said: “The Arena has to be built at Temple Meads. Here it will showcase the city and breathe life into it. Visitors will stay in the hotels, eat in the restaurants, use the shops and visit other attractions central Bristol has to offer.

“The cost of the arena will be reaped back into the local economy many times over. Stick it out of town somewhere and the majority will drive in, watch a concert and drive home again. What a wasted opportunity that would be.

And Matthew Olney voiced concerns about increased congestion an arena would bring to Filton.

“The roads around there are packed as is,” he said.

“More new houses and this will just create serious gridlock.”

However, a significant number of readers said they are not surprised by Mr Rees’ latest move.

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Alexander Smith said: "Too much umm’ing and ahh’ing from BCC, just ruddy build it already! At this rate Marv’s grand underground scheme will be built and operational before the city finally gets the Arena."

Team Bristol added: “More chance of me single handedly building an arena on the moon than BCC completing this! It took them 12 months to complete a bus shelter in Bedminster!”

And Dave Burridge captured much of the mood with his concise summary, “just build it please”.